‘Listen carefully,’ Hanna said. ‘We’re going to try to slip a boat into the lagoon very quietly. It will have a doctor on board. For God’s sake, don’t get mixed up and shoot at it.’

‘I won’t.’

‘I’ve got things to do, so …’ He stopped. ‘Wait a minute, Kemp.’ I heard a murmured conversation before he came back on the line. ‘LH713 sent out a distress call and shortly after went off the radar screen. It seems you were right, Kemp.’

‘Of course I was bloody well right,’ I yelled.

‘I only had your word for it,’ he said dryly. ‘But then, I’ve been mobilising the police force and what we have of an army and a navy, all on your word. Sit tight, Mr Kemp. I’m getting busy.’ He rang off.

I went to see how Jill was. John was at the window keeping watch across the lagoon and Leotta was beside Jill on the settee, dabbing her forehead with a damp flannel. ‘How is she doing?’

‘She’s burning up.’

I touched Jill’s cheek with the back of my hand. The sweat had gone and her skin was as dry as paper and very hot. ‘There’s a doctor on the way,’ I said.

‘Thirsty,’ Jill whispered. ‘So thirsty.’

‘I’ll get you some water.’

‘No!’ said Leotta. ‘She mustn’t drink.’

‘Can’t she even swill her mouth out?’ I said, and got up. I went into the kitchen but didn’t turn on the lights. Working by feel, I filled a glass with water.

Jill accepted the drink gratefully, rolling it around her mouth and spitting it out. If a few drops went down her throat I thought it wouldn’t do her any harm, and she seemed the better for it.

After that, there was nothing to do but wait.

IV

‘There’s someone moving across there.’

I put down my coffee cup and joined John at the window. On the brightly lit quay on the mainland, two figures were visible. John passed me binoculars and I put them to my eyes. Blackbeard and another man I hadn’t seen before sprang closer. They appeared to be having an argument. Blackbeard pointed down at the water and then waved his arm up towards the airstrip.

It must have been confusing for them. Bette Haslam and Steve were still missing, and the boat that had been there before was gone. I wondered what interpretation they’d put on that.

Blackbeard pointed straight towards me and then waved at the big work boat moored at the quay. His intention was painfully obvious: they were coming across to have a look at the house.

‘Stand by to repel boarders,’ I said.

Blackbeard walked towards the work boat and stooped to a mooring ring. I lowered the binoculars and took the pistol from my pocket. ‘John,’ I said. ‘Remember to push off the safety catch before you pull the trigger.’